The event was graced by International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge who watched the 40 minute final and then presented the first medal at his last Games before he steps down from the role next year

In April the head of the kingdom's sporting body said no female athletes would be part of Saudi Arabia's official Olympic team, but he left the door open to Saudi women participating in London independently

Will Saudi’s Shura council welcoming women’s votes and elections permanently open the floodgates for women’s empowerment in the Kingdom or test the patience of the conservatives, asks Precious de Leon.